All the various chain stores are offering similar deals for coupons for percentage off total purchase, many of which can be stacked on top of sale prices (with the typical product and brand exclusions that are always on the chain coupons). Which one is most appealing really depends on who sells the product lines that you want.

Let’s start out with the big ticket items…

Die Cut Machines

Perhaps the most massive deal of Black Friday has to be the Cricut Imagine machine for $187 with two cartridges at Walmart (sale starts 10pm Thanksgiving night). Considering the machine originally retailed for $599, and is currently going for $429 on Amazon, that’s a real steal if you want cut and print capability.

If all you want is cutting capability, you have plenty of sale options to choose from. For 12″ cutting width, the best value is the Cricut Expression 2 at AC Moore for $168.88. It’s a doorbuster starting from 5am-Noon on Friday, while supplies last, so you have to get there early, though. No sleeping in if you want to snag that one!

Since AC Moore is regional, you might not have one near you. In that case, you have two competing values for 12″ die cutting. Michaels has a limited edition Cricut Expression 2 with 4 cartridges for $199 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Or a second option is available at Joann’s – a Cricut Expression for $159.99 that is a doorbuster (meaning while supplies last) on Friday.

For those who are just looking to experiment with electronic die cutting but don’t want to make a huge financial commitment yet, Michael’s has the perfect deal: a 6″ Cricut V1 machine for $69.99 as a doorbuster on Friday. I bought this machine when they ran this deal for the first time a few years ago and it has served me well as a very basic, practical machine. It cuts the occasional shape or title for me just fine.

Don’t need an upgrade to your machine? There are deals to be had on Cricut cartridges almost everywhere. Michaels, Joann’s and AC Moore are all running cartridge deals from $27-$29, and Joann’s is also running a $39.99 sale on cartridges with an $89.99 MSRP. All these deals are good on Friday, but some extend into the weekend as well. Shop early to get the best selection, though, especially if you are looking for popular cartridges. Which store is best for you will depend on cartridge selections being offered by the different stores and what you are looking for. You’ll have to check ads for specific selection and rely on your knowledge of what different stores usually carry that you want. But don’t forget that the chain stores may be bringing in special cartridge inventory for the sale.

If a Cricut machine isn’t for you but you want to get into electronic die cutting, the Sizzix Eclips Machine will be the discounted tool of the day at Scrapbook.com on Sunday.

There are good deals to be had as well on the manual die cut equipment. All of the major chains are running some kind of special on manual equipment:

Sizzix Holiday Themed Dies – 75% off (Joann, Fri/Sat/Sun)

Sizzix, Spellbinders, & Cuttlebug – 40% off (AC Moore)

Sizzix & Cuttlebug – 40% off (Michaels, Thu/Fri/Sat)

If you are looking for the machines, many of the models of which aren’t carried in the chain stores, there are some good deals to be had on those online:

Storage

Another item where the pricetag can add up fast is storage items. Black Friday can be a great day to buy those if you know what you want.

Michaels is just putting it all on sale – their scrapbook storage is on sale 50% off all weekend. Jetmax Storage is all on sale at AC Moore for 50% off if you are a fan of that system (or want to start one) and have a store near you. Joann’s has some great prices on individual items – like a 10 drawer rolling cart, craft cart, or scrapbooking cart for $34.99 that MSRP for $89.99. The rolling cart in my kitchen scrap space was purchased there last year on a similar Black Friday special.

Other good organizing deals:

Ribbon Organizing Ladder – $9.99 (Joann, Sat Doorbuster)

Iris Handy Scrapbook Carrier – $9.99 (Joann, Fri Doorbuster)

Large Scrapbook Boxes – 3 for $10 (AC Moore)

Wicker Baskets & Decorative Storage – 40% off (AC Moore)

Photo Boxes – 3 for $5 (Michaels, Thu/Fri/Sat)

Iris 12×12 Scrapbook Case – $2.99 (Michaels, Sat Doorbuster)

Baskets – 40% off (Michaels, Thurs/Fri/Sat)

Have a Clip It Up you want to expand, or do you covet one? ClipItUp.com is running a special on their products for 50% off all this week.

Supplies

For those who don’t want to leave home, Scrapbook.com is offering specials (one tool and one brand) each day from Wednesday through Monday. They are kicking off today (Wednesday) with two very popular items – the Tim Holtz Vagabond machine is only $189.99 with coupon code VB23 and Basic Grey’s product lines are 20% off. Thursday promises to be another popular day when everything We R Memory Keepers will be on sale and the Cinch will be the discounted tool of the day. For full details on all the days of the Scrapbook.com sale, visit our Black Friday Sale Page.

Two Peas In A Bucket is keeping it simple – they are offering 20% off of all of their non-digital, non-clearance products from Thursday through Monday. Simon Says Stamp has a selection of products on sale for Black Friday. That sale is already in progress.

Here’s a few of the better deals on basic supplies and embellishments to be had at the chain stores:

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About Nancy Nally

Nancy Nally is the owner of Nally Studios LLC., and the Publisher & Editor of ScrapbookUpdate.com and CraftCritique.com.
Nancy also served as the “Modern Business” columnist for Northridge Publishing’s Creative Retailer magazine for several years, before becoming the magazine’s editor from 2013 until its closure in 2014. Her writing has also appeared in CLN Online and CHA's Craft Industry Today.
In addition to writing, Nancy is also an experienced speaker and presenter, having given business seminars at many recent Craft & Hobby Association trade shows. From 2011 until 2012, she was the founding co-host of the Paperclipping Roundtable podcast, and she can also be seen on five episodes from the second and third seasons of the PBS television series Scrapbook Soup.
Nancy also does freelance public relations work and consulting for private companies about the scrapbook industry’s trends and business climate.

Paper Wishes has the Cameo and a coupon for 20% off the highest priced item in your cart–free shipping on the Cameo, too. Go to PaperWishes.com and use the code PWNOV11. It is only good until Monday, Nov. 28.

Don’t miss checking out Stampin’ Up!’s awesome Online Extravaganza this week only! There are loads of items at great discounts from 20-60% off for you or as great gifts. Tons of digital deals, too, to go with My Digital Studio, Stampin’ Up!’s versatile and totally cost effective digital papercrafting program.

The Cameo is at PaperWishes.com and there is a coupon for 20% off the highest priced item in your cart. The coupon is good through Monday, Nov. 28 and there is free shipping on the Cameo. Use the code PWNOV11.

Hi, thank you for posting this information. It was helpful. Does anyone know the difference between the Expression 2 and the Special Edition Michaels Expression 2 version? I bought the Michaels one but didn’t open it yet because I wanted to make sure it isn’t in any way inferior to the regular Exp 2 machine. I’ve tried calling cricut and after being cut off twice after sitting on hold for 15 or 20 minutes each time I’ve given up.
Many thanks to anyone that can shed light on the differences. I’m totally new to the cricut world but want to make sure I made the right purchase since there are still deals out there on the other machine.